As summer winds down into the crisp, colorful fall, you may be looking for that one last hurrah before the weather – and warmth – goes south.

Even after the hubbub of summertime, the towns surrounding The Rookwood Inn are as eventful, lively, and entertaining as ever.

Whether you’re looking to relax, eat some delicious food, or put your athletic ability to the test, Lenox, Massachusetts has an event that will suit your fancy.

Here are a few of our favorite events coming this September:

The Tub Parade – September 15th, 2013

Held in downtown Lenox, the Tub Parade is an extravagant display of festive carriages and horses, decorated with local flowers. The small carriages, known as “tubs” trot around the downtown loop twice before heading out. The traditional parade dates back to the 1800s when New England’s rich and famous showcased their finest carriages and horses in a friendly competition which celebrated the fall harvest and the end of the summer season. This year, the Tub Parade is just one event of an entire heritage weekend. Some of the original Berkshire estates will be open for tours.

Josh Billings RunAground – September 21st, 2013

The Josh Billings RunAground is the 2nd oldest triathlon in the United States.

Hundreds of participants bike over 27 miles of back country, rolling hills, and through five towns in the Berkshires; then canoe, kayak, or paddleboard five miles around Stockbridge Bowl; and end with a six mile run around the lake to Tanglewood. Afterwards, everybody comes together to celebrate at the Josh “Bash” with awards, food, and live bands.

The 34th Annual Apple Squeeze – September 28th, 2013, 11am-4pm

The annual Apple Squeeze in Lenox is a two-day autumn and harvest festival celebrating all things apple-related. There will be apple cider, apple pies, apple cobbler, caramel apples – even apple pizza. The event also includes pony rides, children’s dog shows, hayrides, crafts, sidewalk sales, and much more.

If you didn’t get as much vacation time in as you’d hoped for this summer, or really missed out on that truly relaxing weekend away, book a room at The Rookwood. We look forward to seeing you this September!

Whether or not we want to accept it, the holidays are quickly approaching. Even if we wanted to forget them, the stores and television commercials keep reminding us. Chanukah and Christmas will be here soon! Can’t bear the thought of another tie or pin? Don’t want to buy fuzzy socks or scarves? Look no further. The Rookwood Inn has some great gift ideas for you – one size fits all – including your budget!

How about a weekend (12/7 & 8 OR 12/8 & 9) at The Rookwood Inn including two tickets to the Lenox Holiday Inn Tour, Choral Festival and Gingerbread House Contest? We’ve wrapped this one just for you with a very special package price of $299 (plus tax and gratuity)!

If you can’t get away this weekend, a gift certificate make the perfect gift for anyone in your life – a loved one, business associate, good friend, birthday or holiday. You pick the amount of the certificate and we do the rest. We will issue a certificate and mail it to you or the recipient with a note. They can then use it toward any Rookwood getaway, at any time of year and toward any room they wish. As our special holiday gift to you, we’re offering a second gift certificate for you to use however you wish for 10% of the purchased certificate value. This means that if you purchase a $500 gift certificate for Aunt Mary and Uncle Bill, we will send you a certificate for $50 for you to use yourself or gift to someone else.

Should you prefer a smaller gift, Rookwood Inn mugs, bathrobes and cookbooks are available.